Bill seeks to protect Ga. youth from concussions

ATLANTA (AP) — Newly approved legislation would require that young athletes in Georgia who show the symptoms of a concussion be pulled from games and reviewed by medical professionals.

House lawmakers voted 161-7 on Friday to adopt a bill requiring the changes. It now heads to the state Senate.

Republican Rep. Jimmy Pruett of Eastman urged his colleagues to support a compromise plan. A similar bill failed to pass last year amid concerns it would financially burden local school systems.

The new plan would require that schools give an information sheet to parents about the dangers of concussions and head injuries. Student athletes would be pulled from games if they showed any of those symptoms. Those students who then have be cleared by medical professionals before returning to play.